Arsene Wenger has warned Arsenal to be on their guard when they meet Braga in the Champions League.
Arsenal boss wary of Braga threat
Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal side to be on their guard when they open their UEFA Champions League campaign against Braga on Wednesday night.
The Gunners appear to have been handed one of the more favourable draws with Group H also consisting of Shakhtar Donetsk and Partizan Belgrade.
But the Frenchman is keen to guard against complacency when his men tackle the Portuguese runners-up, who saw off Celtic and then Sevilla in the qualifying rounds.
"For us a win next Wednesday night is vital, because I believe the group is much more difficult than people expect it to be," Wenger said.
"Braga finished in front of Porto last year - we played against Porto and know they are a good side. Also, they have just kicked Seville out in the play-offs.
"Shakhtar Donetsk are one of the best European sides, that is why I believe it is very important we start well at home."
Opportunity
Defender Thomas Vermaelen should be fit from the Achilles problem which ruled him out of the Premier League clash with Bolton at Emirates Stadium.
However, neither Robin van Persie nor Theo Walcott will be available for possibly up to six weeks.
Arsenal travel to Belgrade for their first away European match at the end of the month and Wenger feels beating the Serbians would go a long way to helping secure passage to the knockout stage - but only if they can get the required result against Braga.
"Belgrade is a good opportunity - if you want to do well in the Champions League you need nine points from your home games and you need one result away from home," Wenger said to Arsenal
TV Online.
"But let's first start well against Braga and then we will see how far we can go."
Chamakh
With Denmark forward Nicklas Bendtner also recovering from injury, as he continues to be troubled by a groin problem, more responsibility will fall on summer signing Marouane Chamakh.
The Morocco forward scored on his home Premier League debut in the 6-0 win over Blackpool, and Wenger believes his style is very much suited to the English game.
However, the Gunners boss is also in no doubt the former Bordeaux frontman is tailor-made for a European campaign.
"Chamakh will adapt well because he is a player who, no matter what game you play, likes to connect with players on the pitch," the Arsenal manager said.
